1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds having the following general formula (I) as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of GSK-3p-related disorders such as, for example, (i) insulin-resistance disorders; (ii) neurodegenerative diseases; (iii) mood disorders; (iv) schizophrenic disorders; (v) cancerous disorders; (vi) inflammation, (vii) substance abuse disorders; (viii) epilepsies; and (ix) neuropathic pain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national stage patentapplication of International patent application PCT/EP2013/052400, filedon Feb. 7, 2013, published as WO/2013/124158 on Aug. 29, 2013, the textof which is incorporated by reference, and claims the benefit of thefiling date of European application no. 12156292.0, filed on Feb. 21,2012, the text of which is also incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compoundsacting as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) inhibitors and totheir use in the treatment of GSK-3β-related disorders such as (i)insulin-resistance disorders; (ii) neurodegenerative diseases; (iii)mood disorders; (iv) schizophrenic disorders; (v) cancerous disorders;(vi) inflammation, (vii) substance abuse disorders; (viii) epilepsies;and (ix) neuropathic pain.

STATE OF THE ART

Protein kinases constitute a large family of structurally relatedenzymes, which transfer phosphate groups from high-energy donormolecules (such as adenosine triphosphate, ATP) to specific substrates,usually proteins. After phosphorylation, the substrate undergoes to afunctional change, by which kinases can modulate various biologicalfunctions.

In general, protein kinases can be divided in several groups, accordingto the substrate that is phosphorylated. For example, serine/threoninekinase phosphorylates the hydroxyl group on the side chain of serine orthreonine aminoacid.

Glycogen synthase kinases 3 (GSK-3) are constitutively activemulti-functional enzymes, quite recently discovered, belonging to theserine/threonine kinases group.

Human GSK-3 are encoded by two different and independent genes, whichleads to GSK-3α and GSK-3β proteins, with molecular weights of about 51and 47 kDa, respectively. The two isoforms share nearly identicalsequences in their kinase domains, while outside of the kinase domain,their sequences differ substantially (Benedetti et al., NeuroscienceLetters, 2004, 368, 123-126). GSK-3α is a multifunctional protein serinekinase and GSK-3β is a serine-threonine kinase.

It has been found that GSK-3β is widely expressed in all tissues, withwidespread expression in the adult brain, suggesting a fundamental rolein neuronal signaling pathways (Grimes and Jope, Progress inNeurobiology, 2001, 65, 391-426). Interest in glycogen synthase kinases3 arises from its role in various physiological pathways, such as, forexample, metabolism, cell cycle, gene expression, embryonic developmentoncogenesis and neuroprotection (Geetha et al, British JournalPharmacology, 2009, 156, 885-898).

GSK-3β was originally identified for its role in the regulation ofglycogen synthase for the conversion of glucose to glycogen (Embi etal., Eur J Biochem, 1980, 107, 519-527). GSK-3β showed a high degree ofspecificity for glycogen synthase.

Type 2 diabetes was the first disease condition implicated with GSK-3β,due to its negative regulation of several aspects of insulin signalingpathway. In this pathway 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1(PDK-1) activates PKB, which in turn inactivates GSK-3β. Thisinactivation of GSK-3β leads to the dephosphorylation and activation ofglycogen synthase, which helps glycogen synthesis (Cohen et al., FEBSLett., 1997, 410, 3-10). Moreover, selective inhibitors of GSK-3β areexpected to enhances insulin signaling in prediabetic insulin-resistantrat skeletal muscle, thus making GSK-3β an attractive target for thetreatment of skeletal muscle insulin resistance in the pre-diabeticstate (Dokken et al., Am J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 2005, 288,E1188-E1194).

GSK-3β was also found to be a potential drug target in otherspathological conditions due to insulin-resistance disorders, such assyndrome X, obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (Ring D B et al.,Diabetes, 2003, 52: 588-595).

It has been found that GSK-3β is involved in the abnormalphosphorylation of pathological tau in Alzheimer's disease (Hanger etal., Neurosci. Lett., 1992, 147, 58-62; Mazanetz and Fischer, Nat RevDrug Discov., 2007, 6, 464-479; Hong and Lee, J. Biol. Chem., 1997, 272,19547-19553). Moreover, it was proved that early activation of GSK-3β,induced by apolipoprotein ApoE4 and β-amyloid, could lead to apoptosisand tau hyperphosphorylation (Cedazo-Minguez et al., Journal ofNeurochemistry, 2003, 87, 1152-1164). Among other aspect of Alzheimer'sdisease, it was also reported the relevance of activation of GSK-3β atmolecular level (Hernandez and Avila, FEBS Letters, 2008, 582,3848-3854).

Moreover, it was demonstrated that GSK-3β is involved in the genesis andmaintenance of neurodegenerative changes associated with Parkinson'sdisease (Duka T. et al., The FASEB Journal, 2009; 23, 2820-2830).

Accordingly to these experimental observations, inhibitors of GSK-3β mayfind applications in the treatment of the neuropathological consequencesand the cognitive and attention deficits associated with tauopathies;Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's disease (theinvolvement of GSK-3β in such deficits and diseases is disclosed inMeijer L. et al., TRENDS Pharm Sci, 2004; 25, 471-480); dementia, suchas, but not limited to, vascular dementia, post-traumatic dementia,dementia caused by meningitis and the like; acute stroke; traumaticinjuries; cerebrovascular accidents; brain and spinal cord trauma;peripheral neuropathies; retinopathies and glaucoma (the involvement ofGSK-3β in such conditions is disclosed in WO 2010/109005).

The treatment of spinal neurodegenerative disorders, like amyotrophiclateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy andneurodegeneration due to spinal cord injury has been also suggested inseveral studies related to GSK-3β inhibition, such as, for example inCalderó J. et al., “Lithium prevents excitotoxic cell death ofmotoneurons in organotypic slice cultures of spinal cord”, Neuroscience.2010 Feb. 17; 165(4):1353-69, Léger B. et al., “Atrogin-1, MuRF1, andFoXO, as well as phosphorylated GSK-3beta and 4E-BP1 are reduced inskeletal muscle of chronic spinal cord-injured patients”, Muscle Nerve,2009 July; 40(1):69-78, and Galimberti D. et al., “GSK3β geneticvariability in patients with Multiple Sclerosis”, Neurosci Lett. 2011Jun. 15; 497(1):46-8. Furthermore, GSK-3β has been linked to the mooddisorders, such as bipolar disorders, depression, and schizophrenia.

Inhibition of GSK-3β may be an important therapeutic target of moodstabilizers, and regulation of GSK-3β may be involved in the therapeuticeffects of other drugs used in psychiatry. Dysregulated GSK-3β in mooddisorder, bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia could havemultiple effects that could impair neural plasticity, such as modulationof neuronal architecture, neurogenesis, gene expression and the abilityof neurons to respond to stressful, potentially lethal conditions (Jopeand Roh, Curr. Drug Targets, 2006, 7, 1421-1434).

The role of GSK-3β in mood disorder was highlighted by the study oflithium and valproate (Chen et al., J. Neurochem., 1999, 72, 1327-1330;Klein and Melton, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1996, 93, 8455-8459), bothof which are GSK-3β inhibitors and are used to treat mood disorders.There are also existing reports from the genetic perspective supportingthe role of GSK-3β in the disease physiology of bipolar disorder (Gould,Expert. Opin. Ther. Targets, 2006, 10, 377-392).

It was reported a decrease in AKT1 protein levels and itsphosphorylation of GSK-3β at Serine-9 in the peripheral lymphocytes andbrains of individuals with schizophrenia. Accordingly, this findingsupports the proposal that alterations in AKT1-GSK-3β signalingcontribute to schizophrenia pathogenesis (Emamian et al., Nat Genet,2004, 36, 131-137).

Additionally, the role of GSK-3β in cancer is a well-acceptedphenomenon.

The potential of small molecules that inhibit GSK-3β has been evidencedfor some specific cancer treatments (Jia Luo, Cancer Letters, 2009, 273,194-200). GSK-3β expression and activation are associated with prostatecancer progression (Rinnab et al., Neoplasia, 2008, 10, 624-633) and theinhibition of GSK3b was also proposed as specific target for pancreaticcancer (Garcea et al., Current Cancer Drug Targets, 2007, 7, 209-215)and ovarian cancer (Qi Cao et al., Cell Research, 2006, 16 671-677).Acute inhibition of GSK-3β in colon-rectal cancer cells activatesp53-dependent apoptosis and antagonizes tumor growth (Ghosh et al., ClinCancer Res 2005, 11, 4580-4588).

The identification of a functional role for GSK-3β in MLL-associatedleukaemia suggests that GSK-3β inhibition may be a promising therapythat is selective for transformed cells that are dependent on HOXoverexpression (Birch et al., Cancer Cell, 2010, 17, 529-531).

GSK-3β is involved in numerous inflammatory signalling pathways, forexample, among others GSK-3β inhibition has been shown to inducesecretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. According to thisfinding, GSK-3β inhibitors could be useful to regulate suppression ofinflammation (G. Klamer et al., Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2010,17(26), 2873-2281, Wang et al., Cytokine, 2010, 53, 130-140).

GSK-3β inhibition has been also shown to attenuate cocaine-inducedbehaviors in mice. The administration of cocaine in mice pretreated witha GSK-3β inhibitor demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of GSK3reduced both the acute behavioral responses to cocaine and the long-termneuroadaptations produced by repeated cocaine (Cocaine-inducedhyperactivity and sensitization are dependent on GSK3, Miller J S et al.Neuropharmacology. 2009 June; 56(8):1116-23, Epub 2009 Mar. 27).

The role of GSK-3β in the development of several forms of epilepsies hasbeen demonstrated in several studies, which suggest that inhibition ofGSK-3β could be a pathway for the treatment of epilepsy (Novel glycogensynthase kinase 3 and ubiquitination pathways in progressive myoclonusepilepsy, Lohi H et al., Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Sep. 15; 14(18):2727-36 andHyperphosphorylation and aggregation of Tau in laforin-deficient mice,an animal model for Lafora disease, Puri R et al., J Biol Chem. 2009Aug. 21; 284(34):22657-63).

The relationship between GSK-3β inhibition and treatment of neuropathicpain has been demonstrated in Mazzardo-Martins L. et al., “Glycogensynthase kinase 3-specific inhibitor AR-A014418 decreases neuropathicpain in mice: evidence for the mechanisms of action”, Neuroscience. 2012Dec. 13; 226, and Xiaoping Gu et al., “The Role of Akt/GSK3β SignalingPathway in Neuropathic Pain in Mice”, Poster A525, Anesthesiology 2012Oct. 13-17, 2012 Washington.

A review on GSK-3β, its function, its therapeutic potential and itspossible inhibitors is given in “GSK-3β: role in therapeutic landscapeand development of modulators” (S. Phukan et al., British Journal ofPharmacology (2010), 160, 1-19).

WO 2004/014864 discloses 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds asselective cyclin-dependant kinases (CDK) inhibitors. Such compounds areassumed to be useful in the treatment of cancer, through a mechanismmediated by CDK₂, and neurodegenerative diseases, in particularAlzheimer's disease, through a mechanism mediated by CDK₅, and asanti-viral and anti-fungine, through a mechanism mediated by CDK₇, CDK₈and CD K₉.

Cyclin-dependant kinases (CDKs) are serine/threonine kinases, firstdiscovered for their role in regulating the cell cycle. CDKs are alsoinvolved in regulating transcription, mRNA processing, and thedifferentiation of nerve cells. Such kinases activate only after theirinteraction and binding with regulatory subunits, namely cyclins.

Moreover, 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds were also described asanalgesics in the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain (see, forexample, WO 2004/074275 and WO 2004/101548) and as 5-HT₄ receptorantagonists, useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders,central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular disorders (see, forexample, WO 1994/10174).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As GSK-3β had been only recently discovered as a pharmacological target,there is a strong need to find compounds that selectively inhibitsGSK-3β.

The Applicant has surprisingly found new 1H-indazole-3-carboxamidecompounds according to the following formula (I).

The Applicant has also surprisingly found that said new compounds arecapable of inhibiting GSK-3β and have very high affinity for GSK-3β,when compared with other kinases. Thus, said compounds are capable ofselectively inhibiting GSK-3β.

Accordingly, the compounds according to this invention are useful forthe treatment of the pathological conditions arising from theuncontrolled activation and/or over-expression of GSK-3β, selected fromthe group comprising (i) insulin-resistance disorders, such as type-2diabetes, syndrome X, obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome; (ii)neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer'sdisease, Huntington's disease and spinal neurodegenerative disorders;(iii) mood disorders, such as bipolar disorders and depressivedisorders; (iv) schizophrenic disorders; (v) cancerous disorders, suchas prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, and colon-rectal cancer andMLL-associated leukaemia; (vi) inflammation; (vii) substance abusedisorders; (viii) epilepsies; and (ix) neuropathic pain.

Then, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds having the following general formula(I):

wherein

R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other, is a hydrogen atom; ahalogen atom; a hydroxy group; a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, optionally substituted by one or moresubstituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy,—NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy; a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, aliphatic oraromatic, having from 3 to 12 members, optionally substituted by one ormore substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen,hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)OR₁ and—C(O)NR₁R₂;

Y is a bond, a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl group,optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, —NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy;

R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; —C(O)OH; —C(O)OR₁; —NO₂; —NHC(O)R₁;

R₁ and R₂ are independently a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, aC₂-C₄ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₄ alkynyl group, and a phenyl group;

and its salts of addition with pharmaceutically acceptable organic andinorganic acids and bases.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds having the following general formula(I)

wherein

R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other, is a hydrogen atom; ahalogen atom; a hydroxy group; a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, optionally substituted by one or moresubstituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy,—NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy; a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, aliphatic oraromatic, having from 3 to 12 members, optionally substituted by one ormore substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen,hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)OR₁ and—C(O)NR₁R₂;

Y is a bond, a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl group,optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, —NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy;

R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; —C(O)OH; —C(O)OR₁; —NO₂; —NHC(O)R₁;

R₁ and R₂ are independently a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, aC₂-C₄ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₄ alkynyl group, and a phenyl group;

and its salts of addition with pharmaceutically acceptable organic andinorganic acids and bases;

for the treatment of a disease arising from the uncontrolled activationand/or over-expression of GSK-3β, selected from the group consisting of(i) insulin-resistance disorders, such as type-2 diabetes, syndrome X,obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome; (ii) neurodegenerative diseases,such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's diseaseand spinal neurodegenerative disorders; (iii) mood disorders, such asbipolar disorders and depressive disorders; (iv) schizophrenicdisorders; (v) cancerous disorders, such as prostate, pancreatic,ovarian, and colon-rectal cancer and MLL-associated leukaemia; (vi)inflammation; (vii) substance abuse disorders; (viii) epilepsies; and(ix) neuropathic pain.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method oftreatment of a pathological state arising from the uncontrolledactivation and/or over-expression of GSK-3β, selected from the groupconsisting of (i) insulin-resistance disorders, such as type-2 diabetes,syndrome X, obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome; (ii)neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer'sdisease, Huntington's disease and spinal neurodegenerative disorders;(iii) mood disorders, such as bipolar disorders and depressivedisorders; (iv) schizophrenic disorders; (v) cancerous disorders, suchas prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, and colon-rectal cancer andMLL-associated leukaemia; (vi) inflammation; (vii) substance abusedisorders; (viii) epilepsies; and (ix) neuropathic pain by theadministration to a human being in need thereof of an effective amountof a 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide having the following general formula (I)

wherein

R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other, is a hydrogen atom; ahalogen atom; a hydroxy group; a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, optionally substituted by one or moresubstituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy,—NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy; a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, aliphatic oraromatic, having from 3 to 12 members, optionally substituted by one ormore substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen,hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)OR₁ and—C(O)NR₁R₂;

Y is a bond, a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl group,optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, —NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy;

R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; —C(O)OH; —C(O)OR₁; —NO₂; —NHC(O)R₁;

R₁ and R₂ are independently a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, aC₂-C₄ alkenyl group, a C₂-C₄ alkynyl group, and a phenyl group;

and its salts of addition with pharmaceutically acceptable organic andinorganic acids and bases.

The present invention also includes the prodrugs, stereoisomers, andenantiomers of the compounds of formula (I) described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₁₋₆alkyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl,3-pentyl, iso-pentyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, sec-hexyl and neo-hexyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₁₋₄alkyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₁₋₃alkyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 1 to 3 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₂₋₆alkenyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 2 to 6 carbon atoms and at least one double bond, such asethenyl(vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl(allyl), isopropenyl, butenyl,pentenyl and hexenyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₂₋₄alkenyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 2 to 4 carbon atoms and at least one double bond, such asethenyl(vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl(allyl), isopropenyl and butenyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₂₋₆alkynyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 2 to 6 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond, such as ethynyl,1-propynyl, 2-propynyl(propargyl), butynyl, pentynyl and hexynyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₂₋₄alkynyl” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkyl groups havingfrom 2 to 4 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond, such as ethynyl,1-propynyl, 2-propynyl(propargyl) and butynyl.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₁₋₆alkoxy” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkoxy groups havingfrom 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy,iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, n-penthoxy, sec-penthoxy,isopenthoxy and n-esiloxy.

Throughout the present description and the following claims, “C₁₋₃alkoxy” is intended to indicate linear or branched alkoxy groups havingfrom 1 to 3 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy andiso-propoxy.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the meanings ofR_(a), R_(a)′, R_(b) and Y of the formula (I) above are described herein below.

Preferably, R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other, is ahydrogen atom; a halogen atom, selected from chlorine, bromine andiodine; a hydroxy group; a C₁-C₆ alkyl, and C₁-C₆ alkoxy group,optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, —NH₂, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy; acarbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, aliphatic or aromatic, having from 4to 10 members, optionally substituted by one or more substituentsselected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl,C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)OR₁ and —C(O)NR₁R₂.

More preferably, R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other, is ahalogen atom, selected from chlorine and bromine; a hydroxy group; aC₁-C₆ alkyl group; a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; or a carbocyclic orheterocyclic ring, aliphatic or aromatic, having from 5 to 6 members,optionally substituted by one or more substituents, selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂and —C(O)OH.

Advantageously, said carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, aliphatic oraromatic, having 5 or 6 members is selected from phenyl, pyridine,pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, oxazole,isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, 2H-pyran, cyclohexyl, cyclopenthylpiperidine, piperazine.

Even more preferably, R_(a) and R_(a)′, equal or different each other,is a bromine atom, a hydroxy group; a C₁-C₃ alkoxy group; or an aromaticcarbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, having 6 members, optionallysubstituted by one or two substituents selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, —NR₁R₂ and—C(O)OH.

In a preferred embodiment, said carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring,aliphatic or aromatic, having 6 members is selected from phenyl,pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, 2H-pyran, cyclohexyl,piperidine, piperazine.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said carbocyclic or heterocyclicring, aliphatic or aromatic, having 6 members is selected from phenyl,pyridine, pyrimidine, 2H-pyran, cyclohexyl.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said carbocyclic or heterocyclicring, aliphatic or aromatic, having 5 members is selected from oxazoleand isoxazole.

Preferably, Y is a bond, C₁-C₆ alkyl group, optionally substituted byone or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen,hydroxy, —NH₂, and C₁-C₃ alkoxy.

More preferably, Y is a C₁-C₆ alkyl group.

Even more preferably, Y is a C₁-C₃ alkyl group.

Preferably, R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group; —C(O)OH; —C(O)OR₁ or —NHCOR₁.

More preferably, R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group or —C(O)OH.

Even more preferably, R_(b) is a C₁-C₃ alkoxy group or —C(O)OH.

Preferably, R₁ and R₂ are independently a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkylgroup, or a phenyl group.

More preferably, R₁ and R₂ are independently a C₁-C₃ alkyl group.

Even more preferably, R₁ and R₂ are both a methyl group.

The compounds according to the present invention are preferably employedas salts with pharmaceutically acceptable organic and inorganic acids orbases.

Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable organic acids are selectedfrom the group consisting of oxalic, maleic, methanesulphonic,paratoluenesulphonic, succinic, citric, malic, tartaric and lactic acid.

Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable organic bases are selectedfrom the group consisting of tromethamine, lysine, arginine, glycine,alanine and ethanolamine.

Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic acids are selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric andsulphuric acid.

Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic bases are selectedfrom the group consisting of hydroxide or carbonate of alkaline oralkaline-earth metals, such as sodium, potassium and calcium.

The present invention also includes the prodrugs, stereoisomers, andenantiomers of the compounds of formula (I) described above.

As used herein the term “prodrug” refers to an agent, which is convertedinto the parent drug in vivo by some physiological chemical process(e.g., a prodrug on being brought to the physiological pH is convertedto the desired drug form). Prodrugs are often useful because, in somesituations, they may be easier to administer than the parent drug. Theymay, for instance, be bioavailable by oral administration whereas theparent drug is not. The prodrug may also have improved solubility inpharmacological compositions over the parent drug. An example, withoutlimitation, of a prodrug would be a compound of the present inventionwherein it is administered as an ester (the “prodrug”) to facilitatetransmittal across a cell membrane where water solubility is notbeneficial, but then it is metabolically hydrolyzed to the carboxylicacid once inside the cell where water solubility is beneficial.

Prodrugs have many useful properties. For example, a prodrug may be morewater-soluble than the ultimate drug, thereby facilitating intravenousadministration of the drug. A prodrug may also have a higher level oforal bioavailability than the ultimate drug. After administration, theprodrug is enzymatically or chemically cleaved to deliver the ultimatedrug in the blood or tissue.

Ester prodrugs of the compounds disclosed herein are specificallycontemplated. An ester may be formed from a carboxylic acid functionalgroup linked to a compound of formula (I) above by reaction with analcohol or phenol. Alternatively, an ester may be formed from a hydroxylfunctional group linked to a compound of formula (I) above by reactionwith a carboxylic acid or an amino acid. While not intending to belimiting, an ester may be an alkyl ester, an aryl ester, or a heteroarylester. The term alkyl has the meaning generally understood by thoseskilled in the art and refers to linear, branched, or cyclic alkylmoieties. C₁₋₆alkyl esters are particularly useful, where alkyl part ofthe ester has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and includes, but is not limitedto, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl,t-butyl, pentyl isomers, hexyl isomers, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and combinations thereof having from 1-6 carbonatoms.

The compounds of the present invention according to formula (I) abovecan be used for the treatment of a pathological state arising from theuncontrolled activation and/or overexpression of GSK-3β, selected fromthe group consisting of (i) insulin-resistance disorders; (ii)neurodegenerative diseases; (iii) mood disorders; (iv) schizophrenicdisorders; (v) cancerous disorders; (vi) inflammation; (vii) substanceabuse disorders; (viii) epilepsies; and (ix) neuropathic pain.

Advantageously, insulin-resistance disorders are type-2 diabetes,syndrome X, obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Advantageously, acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases areParkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease andspinal neurodegenerative disorders.

Preferably, spinal neurodegenerative disorders are amyotrophic lateralsclerosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy andneurodegeneration due to spinal cord injury.

Advantageously, mood disorders are bipolar disorders and depressivedisorders.

Preferably, bipolar disorders are bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia andbipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BD-NOS),

Preferably, depressive disorders are major depressive disorder (MDD),atypical depression (AD), melancholic depression, psychotic majordepression (PMD), catatonic depression, postpartum depression (PPD),seasonal affective disorder (SAD), dysthymia, and depressive disordernot otherwise specified (DD-NOS)

Advantageously, schizophrenic disorders are paranoid schizophrenia,disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, simpleschizophrenia, residual schizophrenia, and undifferentiatedschizophrenia.

Advantageously, cancerous disorders are prostate, pancreatic, ovarian,and colon-rectal cancer and MLL-associated leukaemia.

Advantageously, substance abuse disorders are abuse disorders due topsychostimulants.

Typically, the 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds according to formula(I) useful in this invention are administered in the form of apharmaceutical composition.

Accordingly, a further aspect of the present invention relates to apharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of formula(I) as described above and at least one inert pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipient.

Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention isprepared in suitable dosage forms comprising an effective amount of atleast one compound of formula (I) as described above, a salt thereofwith a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic acid or base, ora prodrug thereof, and at least one inert pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient.

Examples of suitable dosage forms are tablets, capsules, coated tablets,granules, solutions and syrups for oral administration; solutions,pomade and ointment for topical administration; medicated patches fortransdermal administration; suppositories for rectal administration andinjectable sterile solutions.

Other suitable dosage forms are those with sustained release and thosebased on liposomes for oral, injectable or transdermal administration.

The dosage forms can also contain other traditional ingredients such as:preservatives, stabilizers, surfactants, buffers, salts for regulatingosmotic pressure, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavourings andthe like.

The amount of the 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide according to formula (I) orof the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of acid addition thereof in thepharmaceutical composition of the present invention can vary over a widerange depending on known factors, for example, the type of pathology,the severity of the disease, the patient's body weight, the dosage form,the chosen route of administration, the number of administrations perday and the efficacy of the selected 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compoundaccording to formula (I). However, a person skilled in the art candetermine the optimum amount in easily and routinely manner.

Typically, the amount of compound of formula (I) or of thepharmaceutically acceptable salt of acid addition thereof in thepharmaceutical composition of the present invention will be such as toensure a level of administration from 0.0001 to 100 mg/kg/day.Preferably, the level of administration is from 0.001 to 50 mg/kg/day,and even more preferably from 0.01 to 10 mg/kg/day.

The dosage forms of the pharmaceutical composition of the presentinvention can be prepared by techniques that are familiar to apharmaceutical chemist, and comprise mixing, granulation, compression,dissolution, sterilization and the like.

Non-limiting examples of compounds of formula (I) according to thepresent invention are those of the following table 1.

TABLE 1 IUPAC name Structure  1 [4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)-carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1- yl]acetic acid

 2 5-methoxy-N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)- piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

 3 [4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)- carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]propionic acid

 4 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

 5 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

 6 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-{[1-(2- methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide

 7 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)- 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

 8 5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-N-{[1-(2- methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide

 9 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)pipendin-4- yl]methyl}-5-phenyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

10 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

11 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-{[1-(2- methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide

12 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

13 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

14 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

15 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

16 N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4- yl]methyl}-5-(2-methylphenyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

17 4-[3-({[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}carbamoyl)-1H-indazol- 5-yl]benzoic acid

18 5-(2-ethoxy-4,5-difluorophenyl)-N- {[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide

19 5-bromo-N-{[1-(2- methoxyethyl)piperidine-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3- carboxamide

EXPERIMENTAL PART

¹H-NMR spectroscopy: internal standard=Tetramethylsilane;DMSO-d₆=deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide; (s)=singlet; (d)=doublet;(t)=triplet; (br)=broad; (dd)=double doublet; (dt)=double triplet;(ddd)=double double doublet; (dtd)=double triple doublet; (m)=multiplet;J=coupling constant; δ=chemical shift (in ppm).

Preparation of Compounds of Formula (I)

Compounds of formula (I) can be obtained by methods known to personsskilled in the art, for example by the following methods A to D.

Method A

1-Hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt, 7.40 g, 54.8 mmoles) andN,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 11 g, 53.3 mmoles) were added to asolution of a convenient substituted 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid(compound i, 12 g, 49.8 mmoles) in DMF (200 ml) at 0° C. After 1 hour, asolution of a convenient 1-substituted [piperidin-4-yl]methanamine(compound ii, 10 g, 58.1 mmoles) in DMF (100 ml) was added at the sametemperature. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours then it wasleft to reach room temperature during the night. The mixture was dilutedwith AcOEt then the solid was removed by filtration. The solution wasextracted three times with hydrochloridric acid (HCl) 2N. The pH of theacid phase was increased (about 13) with 5N NaOH and solution wasextracted three times with dichloromethane (DCM). The organic phase wasdried with anhydrous Na₂SO₄.

The solvent was filtered, evaporated under reduced pressure and theresidue was adequately purified.

For example, compound (19) can be prepared according to method A asdescribed below.

1-Hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt, 7.40 g, 54.8 mmoles) andN,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 11 g, 53.3 mmoles) were added to asolution of 5-bromo-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (compound iii, 12 g,49.8 mmoles) in DMF (200 ml) at 0° C. After 1 hour, a solution of1-[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methanamine (compound iv, 10 g, 58.1mmoles) in DMF (100 ml) was added at the same temperature. The mixturewas stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours then it was left to reach roomtemperature during the night. The mixture was diluted with AcOEt thenthe solid was removed by filtration. The solution was extracted threetimes with 2N HCl. The pH of the acid phase was increased (about 13)with 5N NaOH and solution was extracted three times with DCM. Theorganic phase was dried with anhydrous Na₂SO₄.

The solvent was filtered, evaporated under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, CHCl₃/MeOH=85/15).

Compound (19) thus obtained was purified as disclosed in Table 2,obtaining 9.5 g of solid.

Method B

First Step:

To a suspension of a convenient compound (v) (2.13 g; 0.0061 moles) intoluene (50 ml) was added drop wise a solution of1-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)methanamine (compound vi; 2,52 g; 0.012moles), prepared as described in WO 94/10174, and triethylamine (TEA;3.2 ml; 0.023 moles) in toluene (10 ml). The reaction mixture wasrefluxed for 12 hours, and then filtered. Solvent was removed byevaporation under reduced pressure and residue was taken up with ethylacetate. The organic phase was transferred into a separated funnel,washed with saturated NaHCO₃ solution and water, separated out and driedover Na₂SO₄.

The product obtained (vii) was adequately crystallized.

Second Step:

A solution of a convenientN-[(1-benzylpiperidin-4yl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (compoundvii; 0.506 g; 1.34 mmol) in absolute ethanol (8 ml) and glacial aceticacid (0.8 ml) was hydrogenated in a micro reactor continuous flow system(H-Cube) using CartCart Pd/C 10% as cartridge. Key parameters of H-Cubewere set as follow: temperature 80°; pressure 10 bar; flow 1 ml/minute.

After three hours, the solution was concentrated by reduced pressure,diluted with water and transferred into a separating funnel. The aqueousphase was then washed with ethyl acetate, made alkaline with 1N NaOH andextracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were collected, driedover Na₂SO₄ and solvent was removed by evaporation under reducedpressure.

The solid thus obtained was dried in a stove under vacuum to give 0.27 gof the desired substitutedN-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (viii), which wasused without any further purification.

Third Step:

To a solution of (viii) (0.75 mmol; 215 mg) in methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK;9 ml) stirred at 85° C., the convenient halogenated compound (ix; 1.05Eq) and triethylamine (TEA; 210 μl; 2 Eq) were added drop wise. Thereaction mixture was refluxed for 8 hours, then cooled and diluted withethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated NH₄Clsolution and water. The organic phase was separated out and dried overNa₂SO₄.

The solvent was removed by evaporating under reduced pressure, and theproduct (I) was purified as described below.

For example, compound (2) can be prepared according to method B asdescribed below:

A solution ofN-[(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl]-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide(compound x; 0.506 g; 1.34 mmol) in absolute ethanol (8 ml) and glacialacetic acid (0.8 ml) was hydrogenated in a micro reactor continuous flowsystem (H-Cube) using CartCart Pd/C 10% as cartridge. Key parameters ofH-Cube were set as follow: temperature 80°; pressure 10 bar; flow 1ml/minute.

After three hours, the solution was concentrated by reduced pressure,diluted with water and transferred into a separating funnel. The aqueousphase was then washed with ethyl acetate, made alkaline with 1N NaOH andextracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were collected, driedover Na₂SO₄ and solvent was removed by evaporation under reducedpressure.

The solid thus obtained was dried in a stove under vacuum to give 0.27of the desired5-methoxy-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (xi), whichwas used without any further purification.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆-300 MHz): δ 13.43 (br. s., 1H), 8.27 (t, J=6.13 Hz, 1H),7.56 (d, J=2.01 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J=0.55, 8.96 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (dd,J=2.47, 9.06 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (br. s., 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.19 (t, J=6.22Hz, 2H), 3.04 (d, J=5.12 Hz, 2H), 2.93 (s, 3H), 2.85 (d, J=11.34 Hz,2H), 2.38 (t, J=6.77 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t, J=10.61 Hz, 2H), 1.45-1.72 (m,3H), 1.04-1.34 (m, 2H).

[M.M.+H⁺] calculated 289.1665; [M.M.+H⁺] found 289.1648.

To a solution of (xi) (0.75 mmol; 215 mg) in methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK; 9ml) stirred at 85° C., 1-chloro-2-methoxy-ethane (xii; 1.05 Eq) andtriethylamine (TEA; 210 μl; 2 Eq) were added drop wise. The reactionmixture was refluxed for 8 hours, then cooled and diluted with ethylacetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated NH₄Cl solutionand water. The organic phase was separated out and dried over Na₂SO₄.

The solvent was removed by evaporating under reduced pressure, andcompound (2) was purified as described below in Table 2.

Method C

First Step:

Thionyl chloride (SOCl₂; 9.3 ml; 0.128 moles) was added to a suspensionof a convenient substituted 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (compound i;2.36 g; 0.0123 moles) in toluene (77 ml), and the reaction mixture wasrefluxed for 4 hours. The solvent was removed by evaporation underreduced pressure and the residue was taken up twice in toluene to give2.13 g of the desired product (xiii) 2,10-substituted7H,14H-pyrazino[1,2-b:4,5-b′]di-indazole-7,14-dione.

Second Step:

To a suspension of (xiii) (5.2 mmol) in toluene (40 ml), a solution ofthe convenient amine (ii; 2.1 Eq) and triethylamine (TEA; 3.6 Eq; 2.6ml) was added drop wise. The mixture reaction was refluxed for 8 hours,then cooled and stirred in 2N HCl (20 ml) for 8 hours. The suspensionwas transferred in a separating funnel and aqueous phase was separatingout and made alkaline with 1N NaOH.

The solvent was removed by evaporating under reduced pressure, and theproduct (I) was purified as described below.

Method D

A solution of product (xiv), a conveniently substituted arylboronic acid(compound xv),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]-dichloro-palladium(II)[Pd(dppf)Cl₂], caesium carbonate in 1,4-dioxane and water (ratio 3:1)was subjected to microwave irradiation.

Program was set as follows:

-   -   3′; T₁=160° C., T₂=130° C.; max power 300 W    -   45′; T₁=160° C., T₂=130° C.; max power 300 W    -   5′; T₁=20° C., T₂=15° C.

After one cycle of microwave irradiation, solvents were removed byevaporating under reduce pressure and the reaction mixture was dilutedwith a solution of chloroform and methanol in a 2:1 ratio and filtered.

Products (I) thus obtained were purified as described below.

Purification Methods

Compounds of formula (I), obtained according to one of the previouslydisclosed methods A to D, can be purified with one of the followingtechniques (a)-(c).

(a) Flash Chromatography on Silica Gel.

Flash chromatography was carried out with a Biotage Flash MasterPersonal system on 20-45 μm silica cartridge or Grace Reveleris flashchromatography system with 40 μM silica cartridge.

Flow=60 ml/min.

The solvents used as eluents are methanol and chloroform.

(b) Crystallization

A different crystallization solvent was used depending on the compoundto be purified. The solvents are shown in the following Table 2.

(c) Preparative LC/MS System.

LC/MS system consisted of a Waters 2767 Sample manager, a Waters 2478dual λ absorbance detector and a Waters Micromass ZQ single quadrupolemass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Thecolumn used was a X-Bridge Prep C18 5 μm with 19×10 mm (Waters)pre-column. Fraction collection was available from the system softwareMassLynx™ v. 4.1. Detection wavelength was set to 230 nm and temperatureto 25° C.

The sample was dissolved (50 mg/ml) in DMSO/CH₃CN in 1:1 ratio. Themobile phase was:

-   -   channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid (Eluent A)    -   channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid (Eluent B)    -   flow=40 ml/min    -   gradient=minimum and maximum percentage of eluent A reached in        15 minutes are showed in following Table 2.

The following Table 2 shows both the preparation and the purificationmethod for each compound of formula (I) as listed in Table 1 and themonoisotopic mass for each compound.

TABLE 2 Parameters or MM MM Preparation Purification solvent used forfounded calculated N° method method the purification [M + H⁺] [M + H⁺] 1B (b) AcOEt 347.1677 347.1729 2 B (b) EtOH/AcOEt 347.2080 347.2083 3 B(b) EtOH abs/ 361.1856 361.1876 AcOEt 4 D (c)  2-40 394.2241 394.2238 5D (c)  2-40 424.2350 424.2343 6 D (c) 10-45 411.2196 411.2191 7 D (c) 2-27 408.2397 408.2394 8 D (c) 15-50 429.2105 429.2097 9 D (c) 10-45393.2290 393.2285 10 D (c) 10-45 424.2350 424.2343 11 D (c) 10-34409.2247 409.2234 12 D (c) 15-43 423.2400 423.2391 13 D (c) 20-55407.2449 407.2442 14 D (c) 10-34 424.2340 424.2343 15 D (c) 10-34424.2343 424.2343 16 D (c) 20-55 407.2453 407.2447 17 D (c) 10-34437.2190 437.2189 18 D (c) 20-55 473.2360 473.2364 19 A (b) THF/H₂O395.1064 395.1077 MM : monoisotopic mass AcOEt : ethyl acetate EtOH:ethanol EtOH abs: absolute ethanol THF: tetrahydrofurane H₂O: water

TABLE 3 N° 1H-NMR peaks 1 DMSO-d6; δ 13.95 (br. s., 2H), 8.24 (t, J =6.06 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7.62 (m, 2H), 6.86- 7.13 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.18(t, J = 6.16 Hz, 2H), 2.94 (d, J = 11.10 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (s, 2H), 1.99 (t,J = 10.90 Hz, 2H), 1.45-1.66 (m, 3H), 1.11-1.35 (m, 2H) 2 DMSO-d6; δ13.41 (br. s., 1H), 8.25 (t, J = 6.07 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 2.50 Hz,1H), 7.51 (d, J = 9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (dd, J = 2.50, 9.05 Hz, 1H), 3.81(s, 3H), 3.41 (t, J = 5.97 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (s, 3H), 3.19 (t, J = 6.26 Hz,2H), 2.85 (d, J = 11.56 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (t, J = 5.97 Hz, 2H), 1.79-2.06(m, 2H), 1.48-1.73 (m, 3H), 0.99-1.39 (m, 2H) 3 DMSO-d6; δ 8.24 (t, J =6.04 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.03 (dd, J = 2.60, 8.70 Hz, 1H), 3.81(s, 3H), 3.18 (t, J = 6.31Hz, 2H), 2.83 (d, J = 11.25 Hz, 2H), 2.40-2.48(m, 2H), 2.05-2.16 (m, 2H), 1.78-1.94 (m, 2H), 1.49-1.68 (m, 3H),1.12-1.29 (m, 2H) 4 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.71 (br. s., 1H), 8.90 (dd, J = 0.82,2.47 Hz, 1H), 8.58 (dd, J = 1.56, 4.67 Hz, 1H), 8.42-8.44 (m, 1H), 8.40(t, J = 6.00 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (ddd, J = 1.65, 2.42, 8.00 Hz, 1H), 7.70-7.81(m, 2H), 7.51 (ddd, J = 0.82, 4.76, 7.96 Hz, 1H), 3.37-3.44 (m, 2H),3.14-3.24 (m, J = 5.90, 5.90 Hz, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz, 2H), 2.43(t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 1.82-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.47-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.09-1.29(m, 2H) 5 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.47 (d, J = 5.85 Hz, 1H),8.33-8.42 (m, 2H), 8.24 (dd, J = 0.91, 1.65 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (dd, J = 0.91,8.60 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J = 1.65, 8.60 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J = 5.67 Hz,1H), 3.48 (s, 3H), 3.38-3.45 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.25 (m, 5H), 2.88 (d, J =11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (t, J = 6.00 Hz, 2H), 1.98 (t, J = 10.89 Hz, 2H),1.47-1.73 (m, 3H), 1.09-1.31 (m, 2H) 6 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.55 (s, 1H),8.25-8.40 (m, 2H), 7.70 (dd, J = 0.73, 8.78 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.63 (m, 2H),7.38-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.28-7.38 (m, 2H), 3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H),3.12-3.25 (m, J = 6.60 Hz, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J =6.04 Hz, 2H), 1.82-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.72 (m, 3H), 1.06-1.28 (m, 2H) 7DMSO-d₆; δ 13.68 (br. s., 1H), 8.77 (d, J = 1.83 Hz, 1H), 8.32-8.43 (m,2H), 7.98 (dd, J = 2.47, 7.96 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J = 1.28 Hz, 2H), 7.37(d, J = 8.05 Hz, 1H), 3.41 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (s, 5H), 2.85 (d,J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.53 (s, 3H), 2.43 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.79-2.01(m, 2H), 1.44-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.07-1.33 (m, 2H) 8 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.09 (s,1H), 8.23-8.42 (m, 2H), 7.72 (dd, J = 0.82, 8.69 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (td, J =1.76, 8.74 Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.49 (m, 3H), 3.40 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 3.22(s, 3H), 3.18 (d, J = 6.40 Hz, 2H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t,J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.82- 2.02 (m, 2H), 1.41-1.71 (m, 3H), 1.06-1.31 (m,2H) 9 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.65 (br. s., 1H), 8.40 (t, J = 1.28 Hz, 1H), 8.36 (t,J = 6.13 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.75 (m, 4H), 7.44-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.41 (m,1H), 3.40 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 3.12-3.27 (m, J = 6.00, 6.00 Hz, 5H),2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 1.83-1.97 (m,2H), 1.49-1.71 (m, 3H), 1.09-1.31 (m, 2H) 10 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.71 (br. s.,1H), 8.49 (d, J = 1.65 Hz, 1H), 8.43 (dd, J = 0.91, 1.65 Hz, 1H), 8.40(t, J = 6.13 Hz, 1H), 8.30 (d, J = 2.74 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (dd, J = 1.60,8.70 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (dd, J = 0.90, 8.70 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (dd, J = 1.83, 2.74Hz, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.40 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 3.10-3.26 (m, 5H),2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.82-2.00 (m,2H), 1.44-1.73 (m, 3H), 1.05-1.31 (m, 2H) 11 DMSO-d6; δ 13.53 (br. s.,1H), 9.52 (br. s., 1H), 8.32 (t, J = 6.13 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (t, J = 1.28 Hz,1H), 7.63 (d, J = 1.28 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 8.78 Hz, 2H), 6.87 (d, J =8.60 Hz, 2H), 3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 3H), 3.15-3.21 (m,2H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t, J =10.61Hz, 2H), 1.43-1.72 (m, 3H), 1.03-1.33 (m, 2H) 12 DMSO-d6; δ 13.20(s, 1H), 8.18-8.40 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.73 (m, 4H), 6.88-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.81(s, 3H), 3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz,2H), 2.42 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.79-2.01 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.74 (m, 3H),1.09-1.29 (m, 2H) 13 DMSO-d6; δ 13.62 (br. s., 1H), 8.29-8.41 (m, 2H),7.63-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.57 (d, J = 8.05 Hz, 2H), 7.29 (d, J = 7.87 Hz, 2H),3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz, 2H),2.42 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 1.80-2.02 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.70(m, 3H), 1.05-1.31 (m, 2H) 14 DMSO-d6; δ 8.24-8.38 (m, 2H), 8.18 (dd, J= 1.83, 4.94 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (dd, J = 1.83, 7.32 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.69 (m,1H), 7.46-7.58 (m, 1H), 7.11 (dd, J = 4.94, 7.14 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H),3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz, 2H),2.42 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 1.82-1.97 (m, 2H), 1.47-1.72 (m, 3H),1.06-1.29 (m, 2H) 15 DMSO-d6; δ 13.36 (s, 1H), 8.47 (dd, J = 0.73, 2.56Hz, 1H), 8.26-8.37 (m, 2H), 8.01 (dd, J = 2.60, 8.60 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (dd,J = 1.00, 8.80 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (dd, J = 1.80, 8.80 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (dd, J =0.73, 8.60 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.40 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s,5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 1.80-2.01(m, 2H), 1.47-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.02-1.35 (m, 2H) 16 DMSO-d6; δ 13.59 (s,1H), 8.34 (t, J = 6.13 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (dd, J = 1.56, 0.82 Hz, 1H), 7.65(dd, J = 0.73, 8.60 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (dd, J = 1.65, 8.60 Hz, 1H), 7.35-7.20(m, 1H), 3.40 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.53 Hz,2H), 2.42 (t J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.90 (t, J = 10.61Hz, 2H),1.50-1.70 (m, 3H), 1.10-1.30 (m, 2H) 17 DMSO-d6; δ 13.72 (br.s, 1H),8.49-8.29 (m, 1H), 8.33 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 1H), 7.83- 8.03 (m, 2H),7.78-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.51-7.61 (m, 2H), 3.41 (t, J = 6.04 Hz, 2H), 3.22(s, 5H), 2.84 (d, J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (t J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t,J = 10.70 Hz, 2H), 1.71-1.53 (m, 3H), 1.31-1.11 (m, 2H) 18 DMSO-d6; δ13.56 (s, 1H), 8.36-8.16 (m, 2H), 7.72-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J = 8.78,1.65 Hz 1H), 7.41 (dd J = 11.53, 9.33 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (dd J = 12.99, 7.14Hz, 1H), 4.05 (q, J = 6.95 Hz, 2H), 3.40 (t, J = 5095 Hz, 2H), 3.29-3.09(m, 5H), 2.83 (d J = 11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J = 5.95 Hz, 2H), 2.00-1.80(m, 2H), 1.70-1.50 (m, 3H), 1.24 (s, 5H) 19 DMSO-d₆; δ 13.74 (br. s.,1H), 8.42 (t, J = 6.07 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (dd, J = 1.83, 0.67 Hz, 1H), 7.61(dd, J = 8.70, 0.70 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J = 8.70, 1.70 Hz, 1H), 3.41 (t,J = 5.97 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (s, 3H), 3.13-3.21 (m, 2H), 2.78-2.94 (m, 2H),2.30-2.47 (m, 2H), 1.82-2.09 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.08-1.30 (m,2H) DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide

The compounds 20 to 44 were prepared as described hereinbelow.

Synthesis of compound20—Ethyl[4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate20a) Ethyl[4-(aminomethyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate

To a stirred solution ofN-[phenylmethylidene]-1-(piperidin-4-yl)methanamine (22 g, 0.109 moles(prepared as described in WO2004/101548) in absolute ethanol (150 ml),ethyl bromoacetate (12 mL, 0.109 moles) and potassium carbonate (33 g,0.24 moles) were added. The solution was heated to reflux for 8 hours,then was cooled and concentrated by evaporating the solvent underreduced pressure. The reaction mixture was diluted with 3N HCl (150 mL)and stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The acid solution was thenwashed with ethyl acetate and made alkaline by adding Na₂CO₃. Theaqueous phase was extracted with three portions of dichloromethane,which were reunited and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed byevaporating under reduced pressure and the resulting productethyl[4-(aminomethyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate 20a was used as such withoutany further purification.

MS: 201 m/z (M+H+).

1-Hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt, 2.43 g, 14.2 mmoles) andN,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 2.93 g, 14.2 mmoles) were added to asolution of 5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (3.5 g, 12.9mmoles) in DMF (40 mL) at 0° C. After 1 hour, a solution of compound 20a(2.6 g, 12.9 mmoles) in DMF (25 mL) was added at the same temperature.The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours then was left to reach roomtemperature during the night. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and thesolid was removed by filtration. The solution was extracted three timeswith hydrochloric acid (HCl) 2N. The pH of the acid phase was increased(about 13) with 5N NaOH and the solution was extracted three times withdichloromethane (DCM). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄and the solvent was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressureproviding 1.6 g (3.5 mmoles, 27% yield) ofethyl[4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate(compound 20).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.46 (br. s., 1H), 8.35 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H),8.30 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 4.07 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.16(s, 4H), 2.81 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 2H), 2.19-2.03 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.44 (m, 3H),1.31-1.04 (m, 5H)

MS: 453 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound21—{4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid formiate hydrate

A solution of compound 20 (200 mg, 0.44 mmoles), pyridin-3-ylboronicacid (217 mg, 1.77 mmoles),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]-dichloro-palladium(II)[Pd(dppf)Cl₂] (81 mg, 0.11 mmoles) and caesium carbonate (575 mg, 1.76mmoles) in 1,4-dioxane and water (ratio 3:1, 8 mL) was subjected tomicrowave irradiation as follows:

Time period=3′; T₁=160° C., T₂=130° C.; max power 300 W

Time period=45′; T₁=160° C., T₂=130° C.; max power 300 W

Time period=5′; T₁=20° C., T₂=15° C.

After one cycle of microwave irradiation, solvents were removed byevaporating under reduce pressure and the reaction mixture was dilutedwith a solution of methanol (20 mL), filtered over Celite and driedunder vacuum. The crude product was filtered on a silica cartridge andwashed with chloroform and methanol in a 1:1 ratio. The resulting solidwas dissolved in DMSO and purified via preparative HPLC (channelA=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid: flow=40ml/min; gradient=2% -40% of eluent A in 15 minutes), providing{4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid formate hydrate 21 (67 mg, 36% yield).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.44 (br. s., 1H), 8.66 (dd, J=0.9, 2.4 Hz,1H), 8.54 (dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (s, 1H),7.91-7.85 (m, 1H), 7.45 (ddd, J=0.9, 4.8, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (s, 1H),3.86 (s, 3H), 3.41 (br. s., 1H), 3.30-3.00 (m, 6H), 2.54 (s, 2H), 1.73(d, J=1 1.0 Hz, 3H), 1.52-1.28 (m, 2H)

MS: 424 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound 22—{4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate

{4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]-piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 22 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, starting from (5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)boronic acid and usingthe following preparative HPLC parameters for the purification: channelA=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid: flow=40ml/min; gradient=10%-45% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 33 mg, 17%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.46 (br. s., 1H), 8.42 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),8.26 (dd, J=2.0, 6.8 Hz, 2H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J=1.6, 2.7 Hz,1H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.98 (br. s., 1H),3.30-3.01 (m, 6H), 2.66-2.53 (m, 2H), 1.73 (d, J=10.6 Hz, 3H), 1.40 (q,J=11.6 Hz, 2H)

MS: 454 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound23—{4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate

{4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 23 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, starting from (2,3-difluorophenyl)boronic acid and usingthe following preparative HPLC parameters for the purification: channelA=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid: flow=40ml/min; gradient=15%-50% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 48 mg, 24%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.50 (br. s., 1H), 8.42 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),7.97 (s, 1H), 7.53-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.16 (m, 2H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 4.13(br. s., 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.30-3.08 (m, 6H), 2.65-2.53 (m, 2H), 1.72(d, J=11.0 Hz, 3H), 1.40 (q, J=11.7 Hz, 2H)

MS: 459 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound24—4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]butanoicacid 24a) Tert-butyl4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate

Tert-butyl4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate24a was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 20,from 5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid and tert-butyl4-(aminomethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate. Yield: 35.2 g, 96%.

MS: 389 m/z (M+H)⁺.

24b) 5-Methoxy-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride

2 M HCl in Et₂O (1.8 L) was added to a solution of compound 24a (92.8 g,0.24 moles) in MeOH (500 mL). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours atroom temperature then the resulting solid was filtered and dried to give5-methoxy-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amidehydrochloride 24b (61.1 g, 89% yield).

MS: 289 m/z (M+H)⁺.

24c) Ethyl4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]butanoate

A mixture of compound 24b (8 g, 24.6 mmoles) and potassium carbonate (17g, 123 mmoles) in acetone (250 mL) was refluxed for 1 hour, then ethyl4-chlorobutanoate (3.62 mL, 25.9 mmoles) was added dropwise. The mixturewas refluxed overnight then was cooled and filtered. The resulting solidwas dried and purified via preparative HPLC (channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formicacid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid: flow=40 ml/min; gradient=10%-45%of eluent A in 15 minutes) providing 0.9 g (9% yield) of ethyl4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]butanoate24c.

MS: 403 m/z (M+H)⁺.

To a solution of compound 24c (744 mg, 1.85 mmoles) in MeOH (10 mL)aqueous NaOH (1 M, 3.7 mL) was added. The solution was refluxedovernight then the organic solvent was removed under vacuum, the residuewas diluted with H₂O and the pH was adjusted to 5 by adding 1 M HCl. Themixture was kept at 4° C. overnight then the resulting solid wasfiltered, washed with fresh water and dried under vacuum to give4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]butanoicacid 24 (72 mg, 10% yield).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.54 (br. s., 1H), 11.25 (br. s., 1H), 8.46(t, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.05(dd, J=2.3, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.37 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (t,J=6.1 Hz, 2H), 3.00-2.89 (m, 2H), 2.81 (t, J=11.4 Hz, 2H), 2.32 (t,J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.01-1.70 (m, 5H), 1.64-1.41 (m, 2H)

MS: 375 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound25—{4-[({[5-(Pyrimidin-5-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 25a) Tert-butyl4-({[(5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate

Tert-butyl4-({[(5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate25a was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 20,from 5-bromo-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid and tert-butyl4-(aminomethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate. Yield: 40.6 g, 87%

MS: 437 m/z (M+H)⁺.

25b) 5-Bromo-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amidehydrochloride

5-Bromo-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride25b was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 24b,starting from compound 25a. Yield: 23.8 g, 76%.

MS: 337 m/z (M+H)⁺.

25c) Ethyl[4-({[(5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate

A mixture of compound 25b (2 g, 5.4 mmoles) and potassium carbonate (2.3g, 16.6 mmoles) in DMF (45 mL) was stirred for 1 hour at 70° C. Asolution of ethyl bromoacetate (0.89 mL, 8 mmoles) in DMF (5 mL) wasadded dropwise. After 3 hours at 70° C. the reaction mixture was cooled,diluted with water and extracted three times with EtOAc. The reunitedorganic phases were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under vacuum. Thecrude product was purified via flash chromatography (silica, CHCl₃:MeOH95:5) providing 710 mg (31% yield) ofethyl[4-({[(5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate25c.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.74 (s, 1H), 8.43 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.32(dd, J=0.6, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, J=0.6, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J=1.9,8.9 Hz, 1H), 4.07 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.17 (s,2H), 2.81 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 2.22-2.03 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.46 (m, 3H),1.31-1.08 (m, 5H).

MS: 423 m/z (M+H)⁺.

4-[({[5-(Pyrimidin-5-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 25 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, from compound 25c and pyrimidin-5-ylboronic acid. Theproduct was purified by crystallization in MeOH. Yield: 43 mg, 18%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.90 (br. s., 1H), 9.20 (s, 1H), 9.15 (s,2H), 8.54 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.48 (s, 1H), 8.00-7.56 (m, 2H), 4.63 (br.s., 1H), 3.45-3.01 (m, 6H), 2.60 (t, J=11.3 Hz, 2H), 1.76 (d, J=11.3 Hz,3H), 1.44 (q, J=11.3 Hz, 2H)

MS: 395 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound26—{4-[({[5-(3,5-Dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate

{4-[({[5-(3,5-Dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 26 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, from compound 25c and (3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)boronicacid. The product was purified by crystallization in MeOH. Yield: 55 mg,23%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.84 (br. s., 1H), 8.50 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),8.10 (s, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=1.5, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.10(br. s., 1H), 3.36-3.03 (m, 6H), 2.60 (t, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 2.41 (s, 3H),2.22 (s, 3H), 1.75 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (q, J=11.4 Hz, 2H)

MS: 412 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound27—{4-[({[5-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate

{4-[({[5-(2,3-Dichlorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 27 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, from compound 25c and (2,3-dichlorophenyl)boronic acid andusing the following preparative HPLC parameters for the purification:channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid:flow=40 ml/min; gradient=20% -55% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 42mg, 15%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.81 (br. s., 1H), 8.50 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),8.17 (dd, J=0.9, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.78-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.54-7.34 (m, 3H), 4.08(br. s., 1H), 3.38-2.96 (m, 6H), 2.58 (t, J=11.0 Hz, 2H), 1.74 (d,J=11.0 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (q, J=11.6 Hz, 2H)

MS: 461 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound28—{4-[({[5-(3-Fluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate

{4-[({[5-(3-Fluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid hydrate 28 was prepared, according to the procedure described forcompound 21, from compound 25c and (3-fluorophenyl)boronic acid andusing the following preparative HPLC parameters for the purification:channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid:flow=40 ml/min; gradient=15% -50% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 87mg, 36%.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.71 (br. s., 1H), 8.45 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),8.41 (s, 1H), 7.86-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.63-7.41 (m, 3H), 7.19 (dddd, J=2.4,2.6, 6.5, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (br. s., 1H), 3.34-3.07 (m, 6H), 2.64-2.53(m, 2H), 1.75 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (q, J=11.5 Hz, 2H)

MS: 411 m/z (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of compound29—{4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid

{4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid 29 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound21, starting from compound 25c and (2,3-difluorophenyl)boronic acid andusing the following preparative HPLC parameters for the purification:channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid:flow=40 ml/min; gradient=15 to 50% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 20mg, (11.7%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.68 (br. s., 1H), 8.51 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 1H),8.35 (d, J=0.6 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (dd, J=0.7, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (td, J=1.7,8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.25 (m, 3H), 3.33-3.10 (m, 6H), 2.64-2.53 (m, 2H),1.74 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 3H), 1.54-1.29 (m, 2H)

Synthesis of compound30—{4-[({[5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid

{4-[({[5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}acetic acid 30 was prepared, according to theprocedure described for compound 21, starting from compound 25c and(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)boronic acid and using the following preparativeHPLC parameters for the purification: channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid;channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid: flow=40 ml/min; gradient=2 to 40% ofeluent A in 15 minutes. Yield: 47 mg (27.8%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.73 (br. s., 1H), 8.54-8.49 (m, 1H), 8.48(d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.44-8.39 (m, 1H), 8.30 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76(m, 1H), 7.76-7.69 (m, J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, J=1.8, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.93(s, 3H), 3.29-3.12 (m, 6H), 2.69-2.55 (m, 2H), 1.75 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 3H),1.58-1.27 (m, 2H)

Synthesis of compound31—[4-({[(5-ethyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid

A mixture of product 25c (170 mg, 0.4 mmol), vinyl-boronic acid pinacolester (0.53 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]-dichloro-palladium(II) (50 mg,0.06 mmol), sodium carbonate saturated solution (1.7 mL) intoluene/ethanol (ratio 1:1, 10 mL) was heated in a microwave oven at150° C., 500 W for 2 h. After filtration over celite, solvents wereremoved under reduce pressure and the crude product was eluted through asilica gel cartridge with a mixture of chloroform/methanol 1:1 ratio.Solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the resulting crudeintermediate was dissolved in ethanol (20 mg/mL) and hydrogenated over a10% Pd/C cartridge at 30° C., 1 mL/min in a Thales Nano H-CUBEhydrogenetor to obtain[4-({[(5-ethyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid 31, purified using the following preparative HPLC parameters:channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid:flow=40 ml/min; gradient=10 to 45% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield 170mg, (41.0%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.48 (br. s., 1H), 8.38 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 1H),7.97 (s, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (dd, J=1.6, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.38(br. s., 1H), 3.33-3.09 (m, 6H), 2.73 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.65-2.53 (m,2H), 1.83-1.60 (m, 3H), 1.54-1.31 (m, 2H), 1.23 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H)

Synthesis of compound32—{4-[({[5-(propan-2-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid

{4-[({[5-(propan-2-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid 32 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound31, starting from 1-methylethylen-boronic acid pinacol ester. Yield=33mg (7.7%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.45 (br. s., 1H), 8.38 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 1H),8.10-7.86 (m, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J=0.5, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dd, J=1.6, 8.8Hz, 1H), 4.65 (br. s., 1H), 3.29-3.13 (m, 6H), 3.02 (quind, J=6.8, 13.7Hz, 1H), 2.57 (t, J=11.3 Hz, 2H), 1.73 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 3H), 1.55-1.32 (m,2H), 1.26 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 6H)

Synthesis of compound33—{4-[({[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid

{4-[({[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}aceticacid 33 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound31 (without the hydrogenation step), starting from4-methyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyranyl-boronic acid pinacol ester. Yield=150 mg(37.7%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.65 (br. s., 1H), 8.44 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),8.15 (s, 1H), 7.71-7.47 (m, 2H), 6.27 (br. s., 1H), 5.78-4.52 (m, 1H),4.25 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 2H), 3.86 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 3.34-3.05 (m, 6H),2.68-2.54 (m, 4H), 1.74 (d, J=10.9 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (q, J=11.5 Hz, 2H).

Synthesis of compound34—[4-({[(5-cyclohexyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid

[4-({[(5-cyclohexyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid 34, was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound31, starting from cyclohexenyl-boronic acid pinacol ester. Yield=158 mg(39.6%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.48 (br. s., 1H), 8.38 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),7.98 (s, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (dd, J=1.2, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.67(br. s., 1H), 3.24 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 6H), 2.68-2.53 (m, 3H), 1.96-1.58 (m,8H), 1.54-1.14 (m, 7H)

Synthesis of compound35—[4-({[(5-pentyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid

[4-({[(5-pentyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid 35 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound31, starting from 5-pentyl-boronic acid pinacol ester. Yield=176 mg(45.6%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.49 (br. s., 1H), 8.38 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),7.95 (s, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J=0.7, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (dd, J=1.5, 8.8 Hz,1H), 3.20 (s, 6H), 2.69 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.59 (t, J=11.1 Hz, 2H),1.86-1.15 (m, 11H), 0.93-0.77 (m, 3H).

Synthesis of compound36—5-methoxy-N-[(1-{3-[(phenylcarbonyl)amino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide36a)tert-butyl{3-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]propyl}carbamate

A solution of compound 24b (1.37 g, 4.36 mmol) in DMF (45 ml) andtriethylamine (1.3 ml, 9.5 mmol) was stirred at 80° C. for 1 h and thenwas treated with tert-butyl(3-bromopropyl)carbamate (1.7 g, 7.1 mmol).The mixture was stirred overnight at the same temperature. The reactionwas then cooled to room temperature and the solvent was removed byevaporation at reduced pressure. The crudetert-butyl{3-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]propyl}-carbamate36a was used for the subsequent step without further purifications.

LC-MS: 446.3 (M+H)⁺.

36b)N-{[1-(3-aminopropyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

A solution of crudetert-butyl{3-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]propyl}carbamate36a (approx. 1.8 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 ml) was treated with trifluoroaceticacid (7 ml) at room temperature overnight. The solution was then pouredin water (50 ml) and washed with CH₂Cl₂ (3×20 ml). The acid phase wasbasified and concentrated at reduced pressure. The solid residue wasextracted with a mixture of CH₃Cl/CH₃OH in 8/2 ratio (3×20 ml) and thesolvent evaporated at reduced pressure. The crudeN-{[1-(3-aminopropyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amide36b was used for the next steps without further purifications.

LC-MS: 346.2 (M+H)⁺.

To a solution of crudeN-{[1-(3-aminopropyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide36b (approx. 350 mg, 1 mmol) in DMSO (1.5 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) wasadded benzoyl chloride (71 μl, 0.61 mmol). The solution was then stirredat room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then added to water (20 ml)and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×10 mL). The combined organic phases wasconcentrated at reduced pressure and the crude product was purify byflash chromatography on silica gel, using a mixture of CHCl₃/CH₃OH=9:1as eluent.5-methoxy-N-[(1-{3-[(phenylcarbonyl)amino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide36 was obtained (71 mg).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.43 (s,1H), 8.59-8.47 (t, J=5.31 Hz, 1H),8.38-8.24 (t, J=6.04 Hz, 1H), 7.90-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.61-7.35 (m, 5H),7.10-6.99 (dd, J=9.15, 2.56 Hz, 1H), 3.89-3.69 (s, 3H), 3.39-3.12 (m,6H), 3.11-2.94 (m, 2H), 2.25-1.89 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.53 (m, 5H), 1.36-1.12(d, J=11.34 Hz, 2H)

LC-MS: 450.25 (MH+)

Synthesis of compound37—N-({1-[3-(butanoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amide

N-({1-[3-(butanoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide37, was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 36,starting from butanoyl chloride. Yield=75 mg (36.8%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.44 (s,1H), 8.41-8.26 (t, J=6.11 Hz, 1H),7.89-7.69 (t, J=5.12 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=2.31, 1H), 7.53-7.47 (dd,J=8.92, 0.66 Hz, 1H), 7.11-6.96 (dd, J=9.08, 2.48 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H),3.52-2.77 (m, 10H), 2.10-1.92 (t, J=7.27 Hz, 2H), 1.81-1.12 (m, 9H),0.91-0.77 (t, J=7.27, 3H)

LC-MS: 416.27 (MH+)

Synthesis of compound38—N-[(1-{3-[(2E)-but-2-enoylamino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

N-[(1-{3-[(2E)-but-2-enoylamino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide38 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 36,starting from (2E)-but-2-enoyl chloride. Yield=45 mg (51.4%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.44 (s, 1H), 8.45-8.25 (m, 1H), 8.00-7.75(m, 1H), 7.60-7.53 (d, J=2.40 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.47 (d, J=8.90 Hz, 1H),7.09-7.01 (dd, J=2.70, 2.30 Hz, 1H), 6.67-6.50 (m, 1H), 5.75-6.00 (m,1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.50-1.00 (m, 20H)

LC-MS: 414.25 (M−H+)

Synthesis of compound39-5-methoxy-N-({1-[3-(propanoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

5-methoxy-N-({1-[3-(propanoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide39, was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 36,starting from propanoyl chloride. Yield=90 mg (68.8%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.28 (s, 1H), 8.17-8.00 (m, 1H), 7.65-7.55(m, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=2.20 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.45 (d, J=9.20 Hz, 1H),7.10-7.00 (dd, J=9.15, 2.60 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.30-2.85 (m, 8H),2.11-2.00 (q, J=7.70 Hz, 2H), 1.80-1.52 (m, 6H), 1.40-1.15 (m, 3H),1.03-0.95 (t, J=7.70 Hz, 3H)

LC-MS: 402.25 (M−H+)

Synthesis of compound40—N-({1-[3-(but-2-ynoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

N-({1-[3-(but-2-ynoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide40 was prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 36,starting from 2-butynoyl chloride. Yield=17 mg (17.1%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.34 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.42 (t, J=5.31 Hz, 1H),8.27-8.18 (t, J=6.04 Hz, 1H), 7.56-7.52 (d, J=2.20 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.47(d, J=8.78 Hz, 1H), 7.05-6.99 (dd, J=8.96, 2.38 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H),3.21-3.13 (t, J=6.40 Hz, 2H), 3.11-3.01 (q, J=6.59 Hz, 2H), 2.87-2.75(d, J=11.34 Hz, 2H), 2.30-2.18 (t, J=6.95 Hz, 2H), 1.94 (s, 3H),1.88-1.73 (t, J=10.61 Hz, 2H), 1.70-1.45 (m, 5H), 1.30-1.10 (m, 2H)

LC-MS: 412.23 (M−H+)

Synthesis of compound41—[4-({[(5-bromo-6-hydroxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid

To a solution of compound 20 (200mg, 0.44 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 ml) cooledto −78° C. was slowly added a solution of 1M BBr₃ in CH₂Cl₂ (2.2 ml, 2.2mmol) (about 1 h). The mixture was leaved to reach room temperature andstirred at this temperature for 2 days. The mixture was then poured in asaturated solution of NaHCO₃ and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×100 ml). Thebasic phase was acidified with 1N HCl and concentrated at reducedpressure. The residue was then treated with DMSO (6 ml) and the[4-({[(5-bromo-6-hydroxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid 41 was purified using the following preparative HPLC parameters:channel A=CH₃CN+0.1% formic acid; channel B=H₂O+0.1% formic acid:flow=40 ml/min; gradient=10 to 45% of eluent A in 15 minutes. Yield 36mg.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.27 (br. s., 1H), 12.53-8.62 (m, 0H), 8.39(t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.27-8.14 (m, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.74-3.42 (m, 2H),3.34-3.07 (m, 6H), 2.62 (t, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 1.74 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 3H),1.42 (q, J=11.7 Hz, 2H)

Synthesis of compound42—[4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid

[4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]aceticacid 42 was obtained by the purification step described in thepreparation of compound 41. Yield 35 mg.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.66 (br. s., 1H), 8.45 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 1H),8.30 (s, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 6.80-4.69 (m, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.33-3.10(m, 6H), 2.64 (t, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 1.75 (d, J=10.9 Hz, 3H), 1.43 (q,J=11.6 Hz, 2H)

Synthesis of compound44—ethyl[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate

Ethyl[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetatewas prepared, according to the procedure described for compound 25c,starting from5-methoxy-N-(piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride 24b (65%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ=13.54 (s, 1H), 8.30 (t, J=6.06 Hz, 1H), 7.56(s, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=8.91 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8.91 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (q,J=7.13 Hz, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 2H), 3.17-3.24 (m, 2H), 2.81-2.95(m, 4H), 1.50-1.75 (m, 3H), 1.16-1.36 (m, 2H), 1.11 (t, J=7.13 Hz, 3H)

LC-MS: 375.2 (M−H+)

The following Table 1A summarizes the chemical name and structure of theabove described compounds 20-44.

TABLE 1A IUPAC name Structure 20 Ethyl [4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino} methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetate

21 {4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl] piperidin-1-yl}acetic acid formiatehydrate

22 {4-[({[6-methoxy-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino) methyl]piperidin-1-yl}acetic acidhydrate

23 {4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino) methyl]piperidin-1-yl}acetic acidhydrate

24 4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] butanoic acid

24c Ethyl 4-[4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1- yl]butanoate

25 {4-[({[5-(Pyrimidin-5-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1- yl}acetic acid hydrate

25c Ethyl [4-({[(5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetate

26 {4-[({[5-(3,5-Dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl] piperidin-1-yl}acetic acid hydrate

27 {4-[({[5-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1- yl}acetic acid hydrate

28 {4-[({[5-(3-fluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl} acetic acid hydrate

29 {4-[({[5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1- yl}acetic acid

30 {4-[({[5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H- indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl}acetic acid

31 [4-({[(5-ethyl-1H-indazol-3- yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl]acetic acid

32 {4-[({[5-(propan-2-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl]piperidin-1-yl} acetic acid

33 {4-[({[5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl]carbonyl}amino)methyl] piperidin-1-yl}acetic acid

34 [4-({[(5-cyclohexyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetic acid

35 [4-({[(5-pentyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetic acid

36 5-methoxy-N-[(1-{3- [(phenylcarbonyl)amino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

37 N-({1-[3-(butanoylamino)propyl] piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

38 N-[(1-{3-[(2E)-but-2-enoylamino]propyl}piperidin-4-yl)methyl]-5-methoxy-1H- indazole-3-carboxamide

39 5-methoxy-N-({1-[3-(propanoylamino) propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

40 N-({1-[3-(but-2-ynoylamino)propyl]piperidin-4-yl}methyl)-5-methoxy-1H- indazole-3-carboxamide

41 [4-({[(5-bromo-6-hydroxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetic acid

42 [4-({[(5-bromo-6-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetic acid

44 ethyl [4-({[(5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)piperidin-1-yl] acetate

Pharmacological Properties

The pharmacological properties of the compounds of formula (I) useful inthe present invention were evaluated by the methods described in thefollowing sections.

Test I—Activity on Human GSK-3β (Test In Vitro)

Activity on human GSK-3β was assessed using the following methods(according to Meijer et al., Chem. Biol., 2003-10:1255-1266).

In a first screening assay, compounds were tested in duplicate at aconcentration of 10 μM.

Human recombinant enzyme GSK-3β was incubated for 90 minutes at 22° C.in the presence of compounds or vehicle in a reaction buffer containingATP plus 100 nM unphosphorylated specific substrate peptide(Ulight-CFFKNIVTPRTPPPSQG K-amide). Substrate phosphorylation wasmeasured by LANCE technology (PerkinElmer, Conn., USA).

The results, reported in the following Table 4, are expressed as apercentage of inhibition of control specific activity obtained in thepresence of the test compounds (as % inhibition at 10 μm).

In a second assay, the same compounds were assayed at fiveconcentrations ranging from 100 μM to 10 nM with ten-fold dilutions induplicate. Compounds 1 to 15 were tested using the same first assay,compounds 16 to 41 were tested in another assay based on the binding anddisplacement of AlexaFluor® 647 labeled, ATP-competitive Kinaseinhibitor scaffold using LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET technology Eu Kinaseassay packet according to manufacturer's instruction (Life Technologies,Italy). The results of the two assays are comparable.

The IC₅₀ values (concentration causing a half maximal inhibition ofcontrol specific activity), reported in table 4, were determined bynon-linear regression analysis of the inhibition curves generated withmean replicate values using Hill equation curve fitting.

TABLE 4 Compound N° % Inhibition [10 μM] IC₅₀ [μM] 1 92 0.67 2 85 0.87 394 0.69 4 — 0.03 5 — 0.05 6 — 0.07 7 — 0.06 8 — 0.02 9 — 0.20 10 — 0.0311 — 0.89 12 — 0.56 13 — 0.56 14 — 1.40 15 — 0.05 16 — 0.58 18 — 1.06 24— 1.03 25 — 0.22 25b — 0.53 26 — 0.91 27 — 0.10 28 — 0.11 29 — 0.03 30 —0.02 31 — 0.96 32 — 3.91 33 — 1.04 34 — 1.07 35 — 2.04 36 — 3.42 37 —0.97 38 — 0.78 39 — 0.95 40 — 0.88 41 71 —

The results showed that the compounds according to the present inventionhad good inhibitory activity in this assay: at 10 μM the % of inhibitionis greater than 70% and the IC₅₀ is obtained with less than 4.00 μM ofeach compound. Most compounds showed an IC50 value lower than 1.50 μM.

Test II—Selectivity on GSK-3β (Test In Vitro)

(a) Compounds 1 and 2 were tested against a panel of 60 kinases in orderto assess their selectivity. The assays were chosen taking intoconsideration the diversity of assay families.

Tested kinases were representative of following kinase sub-families:

-   -   protein-serine/threonine kinases;    -   protein-tyrosine kinases;    -   other kinases; and    -   atypical kinases.

Human recombinant kinases were incubated in the presence of specificpeptide substrates plus ATP for different times (10, 15, 30, 60 or 90minutes) at 22° C. Phosphorylated substrate was detected by LANCE orHTRF technology (CISBIO, MA, USA). The compounds were tested at 10 μM induplicate.

The results are expressed as a percentage of inhibition of controlspecific activity obtained in the presence of the test compounds and arereported in the following Table 5.

TABLE 5 % inhibition of Kinase control values Kinase Sub- compoundcompound Family Family Assay 1 2 Protein- RTK c-Met kinase (h) 3 0tyrosine RTK EphA4 kinase (h) 0 0 kinases RTK EphB2 kinase (h) 4 7 RTKEphB4 kinase (h) 2 17 RTK FGFR1 kinase (h) 0 0 RTK FGFR4 kinase (h) 0 0RTK IGF1R kinase (h) 0 0 RTK IRK (h) (InsR) 0 0 RTK Ret kinase (h) 0 0RTK TRKA (h) 1 0 CTK Abl kinase (h) 0 0 CTK JAK1 (h) 0 0 CTK JAK2 (h) 00 CTK Fyn kinase (h) 0 3 CTK Src kinase (h) 1 6 Protein CMGC GSK3beta(h) 94 90 serine/ CMGC DYRK1a (h) 76 56 threonine CMGC PCTAIRE1 kinase(h) 22 71 kinases CMGC CDC2/CDK1 (h) (cycB) 7 0 CMGC CDK2 (h) (cycA) 1811 CMGC CDK5/p35 (h) 19 13 CMGC ERK1 (h) 20 15 CMGC ERK2 (h) (P42mapk)58 46 CMGC p38alpha kinase (h) 0 0 CMGC p38gamma kinase (h) 0 0 CMGCp38delta kinase (h) 0 0 CaMK CHK1 (h) 5 8 CaMK AMPKalpha 16 19 CaMKCaMK4 (h) 0 0 CaMK DAPK1 (h) 22 12 CaMK DCAMKL1 (h) 0 3 CaMK Pim2 kinase(h) 3 4 CaMK MAPKAPK2 (h) 0 0 CaMK MNK2 (h) 0 0 CaMK PhKgamma 2 (h) 30 1CaMK Pim1 kinase (h) 0 2 CaMK smMLCK (h) (MYLK) 0 8 AGC GRK3/BARK2 (h) 00 (ADRBK2) AGC Akt1/PKBalpha (h) 0 4 AGC MSK1 (h) 7 16 AGC PDK1 (h) 6 6AGC RSK2 (h) 0 1 AGC PKA (h) 0 2 AGC PKCalpha (h) 0 0 AGC PKCbeta 1 (h)0 1 AGC PKCgamma (h) 3 0 CK1 CK1alpha (h) 0 12 STE PAK1 (h) 1 0 STE HGK(h) (MAP4K4) 8 23 STE MEK1/MAP2K1 (h) 24 9 STE TAOK2 (TAO1) (h) 3 26 TKLDLK1 (h) (MAP3K12) 0 0 TKL IRAK4 (h) 0 8 Other — IKKalpha (h) 0 0kinases — IKKepsilon (h) (IKBKE) 0 0 — MYT1 kinase (h) 0 1 — NEK1 (h) 00 — NEK7 (h) 0 0 — AurA/Aur2 kinase (h) 7 1 — AurB/Aur1 kinase (h) 0 6Atypical — mTOR kinase (h) (FRAP1) 2 2 kinases

Results confirmed that both the tested compounds have an inhibitoryactivity on GSK-3β and that they have higher affinity to GSK-3β whencompared to the other kinases, showing a good selectivity profile.

(b) Compounds 3, 8, 29 and 31 were tested against the same panel of 60kinases under the same conditions described above for compounds 1 and 2.

The results are expressed as a percent of inhibition of control specificactivity obtained in the presence of the test compounds and are reportedin the following Table 6.

TABLE 6 Kinase Kinase Family Sub-Family Assay Compound 3 Compound 8Compound 29 Compound 31 Protein-tyrosine RTK c-Met kinase (h) 0 7 — —kinases RTK EphA4 kinase (h) 0 0 — — RTK EphB2 kinase (h) 0 2 — — RTKEphB4 kinase (h) 0 0 — — RTK FGFR1 kinase (h) 0 8 — — RTK FGFR4 kinase(h) 0 2 — — RTK IGF1R kinase (h) 0 3 — — RTK IRK (h) (InsR) 0 9 0 0 RTKRet kinase (h) 0 0 — — RTK TRKA (h) 0 14 3 0 CTK Abl kinase (h) 0 0 — —CTK JAK1 (h) 4 7 — — CTK JAK2 (h) 0 23 — — CTK Fyn kinase (h) 0 0 — —CTK Src kinase (h) 0 0 0 9 Protein CMGC GSK3beta (h) 89 99 100 89serine/threonine CMGC DYRK1a (h) 51 99 100 77 kinases CMGC PCTAIRE1kinase (h) 0 84 49 27 CMGC CDC2/CDK1 (h) 8 80 80 10 (cycB) CMGC CDK2 (h)(cycA) 21 92 77 35 CMGC CDK5/p35 (h) 9 77 77 16 CMGC ERK1 (h) 19 66 61 1CMGC ERK2 (h) (P42mapk) 34 74 67 9 CMGC p38alpha kinase (h) 0 1 — — CMGCp38gamma kinase (h) — — — — CMGC p38delta kinase (h) 0 18 — — CaMK CHK1(h) 0 0 — — CaMK AMPKalpha 5 68 — — CaMK CaMK4 (h) 15 4 — — CaMK DAPK1(h) 3 47 — — CaMK DCAMKL1 (h) 0 0 — — CaMK Pim2 kinase (h) 0 0 — — CaMKMAPKAPK2 (h) 0 17 — — CaMK MNK2 (h) 3 4 — — CaMK PnKgamma2 (h) 1 0 — —CaMK Pim1 kinase (h) 12 17 — — CaMK smMLCK (h) (MYLK) — — 17 1 AGCGRK3/BARK2 (h) 0 8 — — (ADRBK2) AGC Akt1/PKBalpha (h) 0 0 — — AGC MSK1(h) — — — — AGC PDK1 (h) 0 0 — — AGC RSK2 (h) 4 4 — — AGC PKA (h) 0 0 —— AGC PKCalpha (h) 5 19 — — AGC PKCbeta 1 (h) 0 28 — — AGC PKCgamma (h)2 0 — — CK1 CK1alpha (h) 0 6 — — STE PAK1 (h) 0 3 — — STE HGK (h)(MAP4K4) 3 72 71 10 STE MEK1/MAP2K1 (h) — — 75 9 STE TAOK2 (TAO1) (h) 079 61 9 TKL DLK1 (h) (MAP3K12) 0 58 — — TKL IRAK4 (h) 0 0 — — Otherkinases — IKKalpha (h) 0 1 — — — IKKepsilon (h) 0 3 — — (IKBKE) — MYT1kinase (h) 2 20 — — — NEK1 (h) — — 9 0 — NEK7 (h) 2 0 — — — AurA/Aur2kinase (h) 4 10 — — — AurB/Aur1 kinase (h) 0 0 — — Atypical — mTORkinase (h) — — — — kinases (FRAP1)

Results confirmed that also compounds 3 and 31 had an inhibitoryactivity on GSK-3β and higher affinity to GSK-3β when compared to allother kinases, showing a good selectivity profile, and that compounds 8and 29 had an inhibitory activity on GSK-3β and good affinity to GSK-3βwhen compared to most of other kinases of the same family and to thekinases of different families.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compoundrepresented by formula (I):

wherein R_(a)′ is hydrogen; R_(a) is a phenyl group or a pyridinyl groupeach of which is optional substituted with one or more substituentsselected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, and C₁-C₆alkoxy; Y is a bond or C₁-C₆ alkyl; R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group;—C(O)OH; or —C(O)OR₁; R₁ is a C₁-C₄alkyl group; or a salt of thecompound with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic acid orbase or, when said compound contains a —C(O)OH group, an C₁₋₆-alkylester thereof.
 2. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or esteraccording to claim 1, wherein R_(a) is a phenyl group optionallysubstituted by one or more substituents selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, and C_(l)-C₆ alkyl.
 3. The1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 2,wherein R_(a) is a phenyl group substituted by one or more fluorineatoms.
 4. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or esteraccording to claim 1, wherein R_(a) is a pyridinyl group optionallysubstituted by one or two substituents selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, and C₁-C₆ alkoxy.
 5. The1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 1,wherein Y is a bond.
 6. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, orester according to claim 1, wherein Y is a C₁-C₆ alkyl group.
 7. The1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 1,wherein Y is a C₁-C₃ alkyl group.
 8. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamidecompound, salt, or ester according to claim 1, wherein R_(b), is—C(O)OR₁.
 9. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or esteraccording to claim 1, wherein R_(b) is a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group.
 10. The1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 1,wherein R_(b) is —C(O)OH.
 11. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound,salt, or ester according to claim 1, wherein R₁ is a C₁-C₃ alkyl group.12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 1and at least one inert pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 13. The1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according to claim 1,which is a compound selected from the group consisting of:5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide;N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide;andN-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide.14. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according toclaim 1, which is5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-N-{[1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide.15. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according toclaim 1, which isN-{[(1-(2-methoxyethyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide.16. The 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compound, salt, or ester according toclaim 1, which isN-{[1-(2-methoxyethy)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}-5-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide.